8.18 Reporting the Results
141
8.18 Reporting the Results
When all measurements are completed and laboratory collected all set of the data
refereeing to the conducted work, those should be presented in a form of final report.
The results of measurements for a given sample or set of samples should be described
so as to include all the information relevant to the end users of those results.
The content of the report, whenever a name is given for such a document, depends
on the purpose and the end-user of the results. In the case of the internal use of results,
the report can be simplified, meaning that it contains only identification of samples
and the test or calibration results, with assigned uncertainty whenever relevant. In
many cases, the description of the measuring procedure should also be added.
However, in a number of legal sectors, other formal information is also required;
for example, the name and address of the laboratory conducting the tests, the name
and address of the customer, information about the analytical procedure(s), tests
results with units and, whenever applicable, a statement on the uncertainty of the
measurements. Sometimes the date when the tests were performed and the environmental conditions can be relevant.
8.19 Evaluation of Uncertainty by Mathematical Model
In the process of measurements, the uncertainty is due to the occurrence of random
and systematic effects. In order to estimate the overall uncertainty, it is necessary
to identify all possible sources of uncertainty, calculate their estimates and, finally,
combine them so as to obtain a value representing all effects. The procedure for the
determination of the uncertainty, which is based on the modeling of the measuring
procedure, has many advantages. The modeling means to construct the mathematical equation used to calculate the final result of measurement. In the best cases, the
mathematical equation should cover all steps of the analytical procedure, reflecting
all factors that influence the uncertainty of the measurement result. Hopefully, it
should also be possible to collect relevant information on the values of the quantities
influencing the uncertainty.
In measurements of chemical quantities, one can define also some other parameters that are not included directly in the equation, but still influence the uncertainty,
despite the fact that it is possible to include them in the model equation.
In practice, the model equation often does not include quantity that reflects, for
example:
– Heterogeneity of the sample;
– Variability of the composition of the matrix in the series of samples;
– Storage conditions;
– Influence of the matrix components (interferences);
– Memory effects.
141
8.18 Reporting the Results
When all measurements are completed and laboratory collected all set of the data
refereeing to the conducted work, those should be presented in a form of final report.
The results of measurements for a given sample or set of samples should be described
so as to include all the information relevant to the end users of those results.
The content of the report, whenever a name is given for such a document, depends
on the purpose and the end-user of the results. In the case of the internal use of results,
the report can be simplified, meaning that it contains only identification of samples
and the test or calibration results, with assigned uncertainty whenever relevant. In
many cases, the description of the measuring procedure should also be added.
However, in a number of legal sectors, other formal information is also required;
for example, the name and address of the laboratory conducting the tests, the name
and address of the customer, information about the analytical procedure(s), tests
results with units and, whenever applicable, a statement on the uncertainty of the
measurements. Sometimes the date when the tests were performed and the environmental conditions can be relevant.
8.19 Evaluation of Uncertainty by Mathematical Model
In the process of measurements, the uncertainty is due to the occurrence of random
and systematic effects. In order to estimate the overall uncertainty, it is necessary
to identify all possible sources of uncertainty, calculate their estimates and, finally,
combine them so as to obtain a value representing all effects. The procedure for the
determination of the uncertainty, which is based on the modeling of the measuring
procedure, has many advantages. The modeling means to construct the mathematical equation used to calculate the final result of measurement. In the best cases, the
mathematical equation should cover all steps of the analytical procedure, reflecting
all factors that influence the uncertainty of the measurement result. Hopefully, it
should also be possible to collect relevant information on the values of the quantities
influencing the uncertainty.
In measurements of chemical quantities, one can define also some other parameters that are not included directly in the equation, but still influence the uncertainty,
despite the fact that it is possible to include them in the model equation.
In practice, the model equation often does not include quantity that reflects, for
example:
– Heterogeneity of the sample;
– Variability of the composition of the matrix in the series of samples;
– Storage conditions;
– Influence of the matrix components (interferences);
– Memory effects.